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Topic Review (Newest First)

02-28-2005 04:11 PM

Eddie

Anyone want to take Josko's challenge?

thought not.

I have a buddy in Mexico who has fished those reels for years and they have held up very well for him. He fishes blue water most days in the summer. They are an excellent value as well.
I find that a large arbor is helpful when chasing fish down and pumping up fish. Also, the RPM's are lower, that can't be bad. But it is not necessary.
Does anyone know if penn still makes fly reels? I checked their web site and couldn't find them.

02-27-2005 07:58 PM

josko

I would like ty hear from anybody who was overmatched with a Penn 4 or 4AR reel. I've got a numbver of marlin and large tuna on one and never felt I needed more reel.

02-07-2005 09:39 PM

Eddie

Do any of the Forum spnsors sell the Hayden reel? I have heard that they are a good value. Are you going to have a booth at Wilmington? Maybe I'll get a chance to see one there.

02-07-2005 09:05 AM

2HandTheSalt

The Hayden Pursuit AR reels have a pretty large mid-arbor. Way bigger than the arbor on reels like the Pate Marlin. They also come in sizes up to 5" in reel diameter.

The Striker DD reels are all true large arbor designs.

There are no hayden reels currently in production with what could be termed a standard arbor.

01-28-2005 09:14 PM

Eddie

well, it seems that there's two catigories of blue water: Bull Dorado, SailFish, Bonita and the like and then there's bluefin/yellowfin and Marlin. Line weight isn't so much the issue as backing capacity. I think that Charlton made an excellent reel (the offshore spool is hard to find) but you couldn't go wrong with an Abel or Tibor/Pate. Probably more IGFA records on those two reels than all others combined (I have NO WAY of proving that statement). Hayden apears to be an excelent value. I think I might want a large arbor though. A large diameter really makes a difference when you are chasing a fish down and when you are pumping a fish up.

01-28-2005 02:50 PM

brooklynangler

OTher options...

There are some great options in bluewater reels that I recommend:

look at the used/sale reels section at justreels . com

Henschel Ultimode reels (IMHO, the best...I've only used the standard dual-mode and they are the very finest reels I've ever seen, held, used or witnessed)

Hayden Reels-- GREAT reels for the price. Used to have a pursuit4.

Lucktor-Ari Hart... this is Ari's new company and they have some really impressive things

Gilmore reels--- used, but never owned their striper-size reel. Excellent and easily convertible to DD.

Good luck

01-28-2005 02:30 PM

FLGator

Bluewater Fly Fishing

I recommend you pick up a copy of Trey Combs' Bluewater Fly Fishing. It is a comprehensive manual of fly fishing in blue water for all kinds of species. Lots of proven tackle descriptions and recommendations.

Chris

01-17-2005 02:12 PM

Adrian

I have a Billy Pate Marlin. They are heavy but exceptionally well made and when the day comes that I find myself with a shot at a billfish I will have confidence in the reel. I've had many YFT screeming off 200+yds and the big ole' cork drag just purrs like a contented cat

01-17-2005 01:32 PM

natrix

Blue water gear

Im looking at buying a blue water fly reel, maybe an anti reverse for tuna, and bill fish. I already have a direct drive Ross BG 7. Anybody have any recomendations, whats good, whats bad etc.